I will be attending a conference at the Quinn Business School in University College Dublin from May 9-11. My mother (aged 80, pretty good shape for 80) will be traveling with me. Neither of us has been to Ireland before. We are considering staying at UCD Village for convenience. I am worried, though, that we may miss the Ireland experience by staying out of the center of Dublin. Also, I know these are dorms, and I wonder how the rooms are. We have the money to spring for something more expensive. Should we? I'm worried about how hard it is to get around, but I want this to be a memorable experience, not just a business trip.

What a scatterbrain I am! I meant to say we will be in Dublin in June (not May). We are deciding on accommodations for a morning arrival on Friday, June 20, until our departure back to Buffalo on Monday afternoon, June 23.

Opinions on how to have an easy yet terrific time while attending a conference at Univeristy College Dublin?

"I want this to be a memorable experience, not just a business trip."

Well then, don't stay in a Dorm - albeit nice, stay in the city, or on the coast.

Or if you want to stay relatively nearby

Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge (3 star)
http://www.bewleyshotels.com/ballsbridge_hotel.asp

Radisson SAS St Helen's Hotel (5 star)

http://www.radisson.com/

or - 2 nearest hotels to UCD
http://www.jurys-dublin-hotels.com/themontrose_dublin

http://www.stillorganpark.com

However, I'd be more inclined to stay in the city. What time do you need to get to UCD for in the mornings?

You're probably right. Now I'm excited!

We arrive on Friday at 9 a.m. and have Friday off to do whatever we want. We're both world-class sleepers, so I'm hoping we won't be overly jet-lagged and can have a little fun that day.

The conference probably starts around 9 a.m. on Saturday and on Sunday. We're not speaking though, so it wouldn't matter if we were a wee bit late.

Then we have Monday morning off until our plane leaves from Dublin at 2:35 p.m. So short a time!

What do you think about a bed and breakfast? Are there any reasonable "outings" we could attempt with the time we have?

I'm up for anything that seems Ireland-y but that won't be too tough on my mom (who is spry for 80 but not miraculously so) as far as getting around.

Thanks!!

I'd consider staying in Trinity College right in town if rooms are open then, for the location. I stayed with husband and sons in UCD and it is a bit out of the way (also took us quite a while to find, since we didn't know Dublin well). If I were planning the trip I'd go to Fitzwilliam Guest House near Merrion Sq. or another location closer in.

Ok Not sure Trinity Accommodation is uo then but may Just be open. Another nice place and near the UCD bus route is Trinity Lodge. I place Business colleagues here is on a quiet street in Town and lovely restored georgian building. breakfast in in the restaurant across the street and its walkable to most places in the city. www.trinitylodge.ie This is on South Frederick Street.There is a bus you can catch on Nassau Street at the Bottom of Frederick street that will yake you to UCD. Check out routes on www.dublinbus.ie. You really do not have a day free so in the evenings you could have a nice meal or ddo the Musical pub tour or Literary Pub crawl. They are a close walk from Trinity lodge hotel . Good Luck!